NEWGATE IN 1772. Dec. 14. His Majesty gave the royal NUMBER OF FELONS IN THE GAOL OF assent, by commission, to the following bills; For the importation of wheat, wheatflour, meal, bread, and biscuit, and for prohibiting the extraction of low wines or spirits from wheat, &c. For the importation of salted provisions from Ireland, and for salt beef, pork, and butter from the American colonies. For discontinuing the duties on hogslard, and grease, and for the free importation of hams, bacon, and salt provisions from any part of Europe. Lord viscount Townsend, late lord lieutenant of Ireland, appointed master-general of the ordnance. Committed from London 327 1074 51 23 Dec. 21. His Majesty went in state to the House of Peers and gave the royal assent to the following bills; 1763 964, 190 90,991 For granting an aid by a land tax. To continue the duties on cyder and perry. And to several other bills; 1769 665,240 85,862 A fire broke out at Mr. Owen's, jeweller, in Fenchurch-street; which entirely consumed it, with the stock and furniture, it also nearly destroyed the house of Mr. Vyner, a chymist, and two back A GENERAL BILL OF CHRISTENINGS AND houses. Dec. 23. A dense fog pervaded the metropolis, so that carriages were obliged to use lights, several lives were lost, and many other accidents happened before it cleared up. Dec. 24. His Majesty gave the royal assent, by Commission, to the following bills; For better regulating the marine forces. To allow the free importation of rice from America. To restrain the East India company from appointing supervisors, &c. for a limited time. And to several others of a local and pri vate nature. Dec. 29. The court of proprietors of East India stock declared a dividend of 3 per cent. for the last half year. The toll collected at Blackfriars bridge from September 1770 to 1771, amounted to 4,7001. 168. Sąd.; and from 1771 to 1772 was 5,9961. 4s. 24d. This year commenced the first partition of the kingdom of Poland, one third of which was divided between Russia, Austria, and Prussia. In the course of last year 4653 ships have been cleared at the custom house, Newcastle, of which 4211 were coasters and 452 for foreign parts. 7,186,253 3 0 7,722,593 0114 536,339 17 11 127,497,619 00 4,526,392 0 0 slow, Jeremiah Dyson, Charles Townsend, and Charles James Fox, esqrs., appointed commissioners for executing the office of treasurer of the Exchequer. Jan. 11. Sir James Gray, K. B. was seized with a fit whilst attending the levee at St. James's, he was taken home and shortly afterwards died. Jan. 15. At Duff house, the residence of the countess dowager of Fife, was exhibited the first masquerade ever seen in Scotland. Jan. 18. A ship from Philadelphia to Newry, in Ireland, was driven by a storm near the rocks of St. Elvis, on the coast of Wales, four seamen went to relieve her, but not being able to save the ship, enIndia. deavoured to get the crew off, the first and 217..219 second attempt proved successful, but the 214..223 third was fatal, a heavy swell turned the boat keel upwards, and all on board perished, to the number of 21, including PRICES OF CORN AND BREAD. Wheat per qr. Barley per qr. Oats per qr. women and children. Jan. 43s. to 44s. July 52s. 248. 228. Quartern loaf 7 and 84. 16s. 168. Jan. 19. Both Houses of Parliament met pursuant to adjournment. Jan. 20. A dreadful hurricane happened at Glasgow and its neighbourhood, by Number of bankrupts, from January to which many houses were blown down, but December 1772, inclusive 443. 1773, Jan. 1. The duke of Bridgewater's canal, between Manchester and the river Mersey, was opened, when his grace entertained 600 of the workmen with a roasted ox, and plenty of liquor. Jan. 3. The Express packet, with the -mail for France, sailed from Dover, when off Calais the wind blew full into the harbour, so that the Union packet, with the French mail, could not get out, upon which, the mate, Mr. Pascal, took a boat to meet the express, with an intention of exchanging the mails, but the sea running high, the boat upset on her return, when Mr. Pascal and seven Frenchmen perished in sight of the spectators on the shore. Jan, 6. The importation of coals into the port of London last year, amounted to 720,000 chaldrons. Several hundred persons assembled in a riotous manner at Dundee, in Scotland, and carried off 400 sacks of wheat and barley from the pack house there, they also plundered a ship in the harbour of all her stores, and broke open a cellar, and carried away a great quantity of potatoes, which they divided, the riot act was read but had no effect. Jan. 9. The right hon. Frederick lord North, K. G., the right hon. George On VOL. 11. providentially no lives were lost. Jan. 23. Orders were issued at the War office for all officers whose regiments were in Scotland, to join them, in consequence of the insurrection in that kingdom, on account of the high price of provisions. Jan. 26. Alderman Sawbridge moved in the House of Commons, for a bill to shorten the duration of Parliaments, but it was negatived, by a large majority, 45 for the motion, and 153 against it. Jan. 27. This morning, about five o'clock, the Queen was safely delivered of a prince, being her ninth child, viz. six princes and three princesses. Jan. 29. The two Houses of Parliament, this day, presented congratulatory addresses to his Majesty on the birth of another prince, to which a most gracious answer was returned. The Lord Mayor gave notice to his household that he should not attend divine service at St. Paul's, on the anniversary of the martyrdom of king Charles; as this had never before been omitted, the singularity of his Lordship's conduct gave rise to much animadversion. Jan. 30. At Worcester, last year, the quantity of hops weighed, were 25,488 pockets, the price was 41. 14s. to 5l. 16s. per cwt. The expedition against the Caribbees, in the island of St. Vincent, did not succeed, the native islanders made a resolute 21 234 defence, and still preserve a footing in the mountains. Feb. 1. The rev. Richard Richmond, D. D. appointed bishop of Sodor and Man, in the room of Mark Hildesley, deceased. Feb. 2. A duel was fought in Mary-lebone fields, between lord Townsend and the earl of Bellamont, when the latter received a ball near the groin, which was considered dangerous, the earl fired and missed his lordship. At Holywell, in Flintshire, fell the greatest quantity of snow in the memory of man, several men, women, and children perished; Moel famma, a very high mountain in the neighbourhood, threw out a vast quantity of combustible matter, and one side of the mountain was, by a terrible convulsion, rent, leaving a gap in the solid stone of 200 yards; the summit of the rock fell into this vast opening, and the top appeared level. Feb. 3. A petition signed by 430 of the inhabitants of the city of Bristol, was presented to the House of Commons against the licensing a theatre royal in that city, for which application had been made. Feb. 4. A convocation was held at Oxford, for taking into consideration the enactment of a new declaration, in lieu of a subscription to the 39 articles of religion, but the House refused its assent to any alteration in the statutes of the Univer. sity. Norfolk, Edward Hass, esq. WALES. Anglesea, H. Sparrow, esq. Brecknockshire, Thomas Evans, esq. Caermarthenshire, Gwyn Vaughan, esq. Cardiganshire, David Jones, esq. Caernarvonshire, R. Griffith, esq. Flintshire, John Puleston, esq. Denbighshire, Edward Lloyd, esq. Merionethshire, Lewis Edwards, esq. Glamorganshire, William Dawkins, esq. Montgomeryshire, William Wimpe, esq. Pembrokeshire, John Evans, esq. Radnorshire, R. Holland, esq. Feb. 5. The Lord Mayor, aldermen and common council of the city of London, waited upon his Majesty with a dutiful and loyal address, congratulating him upon the SHERIFFS APPOINTED FOR THE PRESENT birth of another prince, they were gra YEAR. Berkshire, Jeremiah Crutchley, esq. ciously received, and the honour of knighthood was conferred on aldermen Halifax, and Watkin Lewes, esq. one of the sheriffs. George Coleman, esq. manager of Covent Garden theatre, was violently assaulted, and beaten in a severe manner by a clergyman, against whom he exhibited articles of the peace. A petition was presented by the captains of the navy on half pay, to the House of Commons, for an increase of pay, but it was rejected. Feb. 12. At an adjourned meeting of the proprietors of East India stock, it was resolved, by a large majority, to depute a certain number of the directors to wait upon the first lord of the Treasury, to know from him what general plan he would propose for the mutual good of the Company and the public, Lord North declined making any proposition. Feb. 16. The court of aldermen of the by alderman Oliver, that a frequent apcity of London agreed to a motion made peal to the constitutional part of the people, by short Parliaments, was the undoubted right, and the only means by which they could enjoy or maintain the right of a real representation. Feb. 17. A great fire broke out in the house of Mr. Collier, and Messrs. Smith, milliners, in Bishopsgate-street, which entirely consumed the same, it was so sudden, and burnt so rapidly, that the master and mistress and six other persons perished in the flames, three persons only of the whole household escaped, but not without bruises; it was occasioned by a fire being left in the kitchen to dry some linen. His Majesty the king of Sardinia died, having reigned 40 years. Feb. 22. General James Oughton was elected knight of the Bath, in the room of Sir James Gray, deceased. Major-general Dalrymple subdued the Caribbee Indians, in the island of St. Vincent, who entirely submitted, and ceded a valuable tract of land to his Majesty. Feb. 23. A motion was made in the House of Commons to dispense with the subscription to the 39 articles, or any test required of persons at their matriculation in either of the two universities, the debates were warm and long, but the motion was lost by a large majority, there being 64 for it, and 159 against it. Feb. 24. At a general meeting of the proprietors of East India stock, it was resolved to apply to Parliament for a loan of 1,500,000. for four years at 4 per cent. interest, to be repaid as soon as the Company were able, by instalments of 300,000l. each. Feb. 25. The young prince, of which the Queen was lately delivered, was christened by the name of Augustus Frederick. Feb. 26. The wind was so high in and near London that damage was sustained by the shipping in the river Thames, to the amount of 50,000l.; in this storm the Queen of Naples, captain Proud, was lost, off Newhaven, and the captain, and lord Fortescue's son, a passenger from Naples, were drowned. Feb. 27. At the Candlemas fair at Thornbill, Scotland, several persons returning from the fair, went into a small boat to pass the river Nith, which was much flooded; in consequence of being too much loaded, it upset, and nine persons perished. March 1. Two London riders were attacked by two footpads in the road from Lancaster to Manchester, but refusing to be robbed they were shot dead on the spot, the villains were soon afterwards apprehe nded and committed to Lancaster gaol, March 3. The city of London présented a petition to the House of Commons, praying the House, in consequence of the high price of provisions, to grant a bounty of 4s. per quarter on wheat that should be imported between the 31st of March and the 31st of July next. An insurrection happened amongst the sailors in the harbour of Glasgow, who insisted on a new regulation of wages, the riot act was read, and before it could be quelled, two women were killed, and one man and woman wounded. March 5. The common council of London recommended to the electors of the kingdom, to require the candidate that they should vote for, to use his interest to procure an act for abridging the duration of Parliaments. March 6. Dr. Solander was appointed Librarian to the British Museum, in the room of Dr. Maty, who was appointed principal Librarian. March 8. The envoy extraordinary from the king of Sardinia, had a private audience of the King, to notify the death of the late king of Sardinia, and deliver his credentials from his successor. March 10. The council of the Royal Society presented to his Majesty an address of thanks for the Royal patronage and munificence to that Institution, they were graciously received, and the honour of knighthood conferred upon James Burrow, esq. their late president. March 11. The Livery of London, assembled in Common Hall, resolved to present to the King, another petition for redress of grievances, and a resolution not to vote for any member for the city of London who did not sign an engagement for supporting a bill for an annual, or, if that could not be obtained, a triennial Parliament. March 15. Dr. Goldsmith's comedy of She Stoops to Conquer, was performed, for the first time, at Covent Garden theatre, to a crowded house, and received with universal approbation. Dec. 16. His Majesty gave the royal assent, by Commission, to the following bills; To allow further time to persons who omitted to qualify themselves for holding offices. To enable foreigners to lend money on estates in his Majesty's colonies. For naturalizing foreign protestants being children of the subjects of Great Britain. And to several local and private bills. of London petitioned the House of Commons against the frequent recurrence of lotteries in time of peace, conceiving that authorized gambling is highly injurious to the commerce of the country. March 18. At a quarterly court of the Bank of England, the dividend was declared at 5 per cent. per annum. March 19. At a convocation of the Clergy a new form of subscription was prepared, to supersede the 89 articles, but it was rejected by a great majority. March 20. His Majesty was pleased to appoint Sir Basil Keith, knt. to be captain general, and governor general of Jamaica, in the room of Sir William Trelawney, bart. deceased. March 23. The House of Commons proceeded to discuss the affairs of the East India Company, when, after a long debate, lord North offered the following propositions, which were passed without a division-1st. That, supposing the public should advance a loan to the East India Company, it is the opinion of the House, that the Company's dividend should be restrained to 6 per cent. until the re-payment of the sum advanced.-2nd. That the Company be allowed no more than 7 per cent. until their bond debt be reduced to 1,500,0007.; and no more than 8 per cent. before the participation of profits between the public and the Company should take place. March 24. Died, the right hon. Philip Dormer Stanhope, earl of Chesterfield, formerly lord lieutenant of Ireland, a great wit and elegant scholar. March 26. Another address, petition, and remonstrance, from the city of London, was presented to his Majesty, the grievances complained of, were the same as in the former address, viz. the Middlesex election, the imprisonment of the city magistrates, and the erasure of the record of the proceedings against the messenger; to this address, &c. his Majesty replied, That the petition was so void of foundation, and was conceived in such disrespectful terms, that he was convinced the promoters did not think seriously that it could be complied with. March 31. Lord Bellamont, who was wounded in a duel with lord Townsend, was declared out of danger. Edward Fleming, esq. of Sibdon castle, near Ludlow, having eaten some spring pottage, said to his daughters, that he believed he was poisoned, the ladies tasted as did an old housekeeper, and all of them were taken ill, Mr. Fleming died in great agony, but the ladies and housekeeper re covered; it is not known who was the perpetrator of this cruel act. April 1. His Majesty went in state to the House of Peers, and gave the royal assent to the following bills; For punishing mutiny and desertion. For more effectually executing the criminal law. For preventing abuses in selling shares of ships to foreigners. For preventing the stealing of turnips, potatoes, &c. For the preservation of timber trees, woods, shrubs, and plants. And to several local and private bills. Mr. Harrison, who had received half the reward of 20,0001. for his invention of a watch for ascertaining the longitude, petitioned the House of Commons for the remainder of the premium, it was referred to the board of longitude. April 5. Disputes arose between the governor of New York and the House of Representatives of the province of Massachusetts bay, respecting the salaries of the judges of that province. Lord North laid three propositions before a committee of the whole House of Commons relative to the affairs of the East India Company: 1st. Relative to the territorial acquisitions in India: 2nd. Relative to the participation of the Company's revenue.-Prop. 1. That it is the opinion of this House, it will be more beneficial to the public, and the East India Company, to let the territorial acquisitions remain in the possession of the Company, for a limited time, not exceeding six years, to commence from the agreement between the public and the Company.-Prop. 2. That no participation of revenue shall take place between the public and the Company until after the repayment of the 1,400,000l. advanced to the Company, and the reduction of the Company's bond debt to 1,500,000. -Prop. 3rd. That after the payment of the loan advanced to the Company, and the reduction of the bond debt, to the sum specified, three-fourths of the nett surplus revenue of the Company, shall be paid inta the exchequer, and the remaining onefourth shall be set apart as a fund for the discharge of any contingent exigencies the Company may labour under. April 7. In consequence of a call of the House of Commons, the Sheriff of London and Middlesex replied to the Speaker's letter, stating that they had summoned John Wilkes and John Glynn, esqrs. knights of the shire for the county of Middlesex. The grand canal from Bingley to Skip |